Paying for meals if working away?

Tiddlywinks

getmore4less wrote: »

It is quite common to have rate + expenses on jobs.


Having expenses paid by the client can simplify accounts and if using an umbrella that is a bit on the case much less hassle

The OP can still claim on his own accounts for stuff not covered by the client

But all of this should have been covered in the contract negotiations BEFORE he agreed to take the job... It's all part of costing the job.

getmore4less

I suspect there is a man in the middle situation.

monkeychops

mumonashoestring wrote: »

In my experience I would say it is normal for an evening meal to be covered if you're required to work away from home. I suspect this is probably an area where companies often find that people take the mickey though and are maybe trying to cut back on what could be seen as a bit of a jolly... Could he perhaps present the argument that an evening meal prepared at home is not really the same, in terms of expense, as being required to buy a meal and ask for a compromise - perhaps a fixed amount per overnight stay that he could claim back for meals (on the understanding that if he wants something more expensive he covers the difference himself)?

He has said to them that a meal at home is cheaper than a meal out but doesn't really want to push too much as he has only recently started working for them. When he worked for other companies and they did pay for an evening meal he never took advantage and only ever had reasonable priced meals. I think the other companies gave an allowance of so much and he usually didn't even spend up to the limit.

getmore4less wrote: »

he can claim through his own pay to atleast pay from gross saving the tax and ni.

I would find a hotel that will invoice db&b as accommodation.

He did find a hotel last week that just added the evening meal to the whole price but no all hotels will do that. Also he tries to find cheap hotels or B&B's so they don't all do evening meal. You would think what he is probably saving them on hotel prices they could give for a meal!

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

Your OH is self employed - all expenses are his own.

He is not 'sub contracted to a company' - it's the other way around - the company may be using him as a sub-contractor BUT the payment should have been agreed in advance.

I don't see how you expect anyone else to pay your husband's expenses when he should have negotiated his fees to cover his costs.

There was no negotiation. The company provide bathrooms and have sub contracted fitters to fit them. The hourly rates etc are all set.


He is not choosing to work away from home but a lot of their work is all over the country. This is not unusual as he has worked for a couple of other companies in the past and they never have many contractors so the few they have travel all over. The other companies though have always given an allowance for an evening meal.


Also the others usually had an account with a supplier such a Wickes, B&Q etc so that any materials needed could be bought on it. This company doesn't so OH has to buy anything needed. The last job he was on he paid out over £300 on materials, £250 on hotel, over £100 on fuel and evening meal on top of that. As I said, he tried to go to McDonalds, or a chippie (anywhere cheap). All these cheap meals are not going to be good for his health or his weight! He then has to wait 2 to 3 weeks to be paid.

monkeychops

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

But all of this should have been covered in the contract negotiations BEFORE he agreed to take the job... It's all part of costing the job.

There were NO negotiations. He did not cost the job. He is working for a company and all the hourly rates, mileage allowance etc are set.

duchy

Sounds like he's just working for one of the worse companies to work for -and no doubt will be looking for a better one soon.

Unfortunately it's all legal - just some companies are less enlightened than others.

monkeychops

duchy wrote: »

Sounds like he's just working for one of the worse companies to work for -and no doubt will be looking for a better one soon.

Unfortunately it's all legal - just some companies are less enlightened than others.

Yes, he's not that impressed with them! But a job is a job and having been unemployed and trying to manage on JSA (a joke in itself!) he is just happy to be working. He is looking around for something else.


I realise a company doesn't have to pay for meals I just thought it was pretty standard practice that they did. I feel sorry for him really, he hates being away from home and, as I said, tries to find cheap hotels so not even getting any pleasure from having a nice room to stay in

dandelionclock30

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

The OP's OH is self employed so I don't see what a union could do about it?

I'm sure he could find cheap meals for less than a quid, might not be the most appetising but needs must and all I guess.

Where can you get cheap meals for less than a quid? A bag of chips is over a pound and pub meals even at places like Weatherspoons are more than this.
Food like beans on toast in a cafe is over a quid as well.
So please tell us where you can get a meal for this.

getmore4less

Stop looking for cheap hotels and build up a list of those that will cooperate with creative billing.
Some do packaged DB&B rates.


Join all the loyalty schemes there are benefits that can compensate for the lack of expenses.



Quidco and topcashback with squeeze a few % with some purchases


Claim tax relief on the costs not done as expenses.


He gets to chose which jobs he takes so look for those that have the best ability to cream a bit.


How are the transport cost paid, hopefully at a decent mileage rate.

rach_k

If it's unusual in his industry for meals not to be paid for but still legal, why is he bothering to look for cheap hotels if they'll pay for that? He may as well be comfortable if they're going to make him find his own food (and he might get more free biscuits in a more expensive hotel!).

Tiddlywinks

monkeychops wrote: »

There were NO negotiations. He did not cost the job. He is working for a company and all the hourly rates, mileage allowance etc are set.

He is self employed - they pay him for the work and then can choose what else to put in the contract. Your OH then takes the job (or not) based on those terms.

That's the harsh reality.